9 Ideas Coming to a Kitchen Near You

1. Microwave drawers. Not since the invention of microwave popcorn has anything excited me as much as the microwave drawer. For decades, microwaves have either claimed a couple of feet of counter space or resided above the stove.

I think microwave drawers are going to become as ubiquitous as the dishwasher. Gone are the days of reaching for steaming hot food at a point just above my head. The drawers make it so easy to lift out hot food safely or to reach in and stir food without having to pull it out onto the counter.

2. Drawers, period. Drawers make better use of lower cabinets. If I'm trying to make dinner in a hurry, I don't want to spend 10 minutes on my hands and knees fishing around bottom shelf for the right pot.

Drawers mean you can use every inch of your cabinet space effectively. The pegs in these drawers keep dishes from sliding around when opening and closing the drawers.

And drawers can hold just about anything. I love drawers for storing supplies under the kitchen sink. Don't you hate fishing around for some cleaning product behind the garbage disposal?

4. Backsplashes on the rise. Backsplashes are going up — all the way up to the bottom of the upper cabinets. And just when you think they’ve stopped climbing, they go right on up to the ceiling.

5. Fewer upper cabinets. To preserve a sense of open space, more people are reducing the number of upper cabinets in their kitchens.

To make this work, use pullout drawers in your base cabinets to maximize storage …

6. Solid-surface backsplashes. We are looking for kitchens that are easier to keep clean. Solid surfaces are easier to wipe down than grouted tile. I think we are also looking for a serene and uncluttered look. Taking the backsplash all the way up to the wall cabinets accomplishes that in one way, but using a solid surface with no seam lines — or just a couple — provides a very sleek look. This custom-made seamless concrete backsplash has a subtle texture for visual interest, but the texture is not deep, so it's easy to clean.

Natural stone is another great option for a smooth and seamless backsplash. The color of this chocolate-toned marble adds warmth and interest to this white kitchen. It's a great natural element that adds an organic feel. You still need to seal the stone on a backsplash, but because it doesn't take as much punishment as the counter, maintenance isn't much of an issue here.

7. Wine fridges. Compact wine fridges make it possible to keep your wine at exactly the right temperature and handy for your parties. If you don’t have a wine cellar, a wine fridge mounted in your lower cabinets is the next best thing.